The future of the Tulsa metropolitan area holds new business opportunities, existing business expansion, economic prosperity and excellent quality of life for the community. This is joined, however, with the challenge of maintaining regional air quality. Tulsa has a long-proven history of air quality improvement at the local level. Voluntary and common-sense initiatives through successful business and community partnership is the core reason the Tulsa area is in compliance with all federal air quality standards.  

Continued compliance with the ozone standard is by no means assured. Facing ozone monitors at near-nonattainment levels as early as 1991, The Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG), with local governments, businesses and the Tulsa community, determined the proactive commitment to explore strategies for air quality improvement. In just two weeks time, the nationally replicated and award-wining Tulsa Area Ozone Alert! Program was developed. The first of its kind in the nation, the Ozone Alert! Program is geared toward reducing emissions on days with the potential to exceed the ozone standard. Exemplarily private and public partnerships providing community air quality education and outreach continues to help the area maintain attainment status today. In demonstration of the importance placed on air quality, more than 90% of the Tulsa community recently affirmed their knowledge and awareness of the Ozone Alert! Program.   

The Tulsa Area Green Traveler Program is a regional one-stop-shopping resource for solutions to efficient commuting.  Growing out of INCOG’s RideShare Program, Green Traveler works with Tulsa's citizens, local businesses, organizations and schools to develop commuter options, and solutions.  The user-friendly Green Traveler website provides regional commuter alternatives for reducing congestion, emissions, stress, and commuting costs. Carpool-matching services, bike trail information and transit resources are provided through this regionally marketed and available program.

INCOG also coordinates the Tulsa Area Clean Cities Program, designed to bring together key stakeholders to support and promote local practices that reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector.  The goals of the Tulsa Area Clean Cities Program include promoting an enhanced local economy and air quality improvement while providing for energy security through alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles. In addition, Tulsa’s Clean Cities Program seeks to promote the availability and use of fuel blends such as biodiesel and E-85, to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling and to encourage informed consumer choice on fuel economy in the region.  Stakeholders include fuel suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, fleet managers, utilities, environmental and health groups, as well as state and local governments. The Tulsa Area Clean Cities Coalition is one of more than 80 such U.S. Department of Energy designated coalitions across the nation.